Maps and Data

This chart shows the trend in total ethanol fuel production and consumption from 2000 to 2023. The use of ethanol as a gasoline additive increased in an accelerating fashion from 2000 to 2010. Its use was spurred by the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 (and subsequent laws), which mandated the sale of oxygenated fuels in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Starting in 2010, E10 (an ethanol-gasoline blend containing 10% ethanol) was sold in all 50 states to boost octane, meet air quality requirements, or satisfy the Renewable Fuel Standard. Increases in ethanol use are also attributed to more widespread availability of flex-fuel vehicles, which can use blends as high as E85 (containing up to 85% ethanol), and greater availability of E85 stations. Ethanol is also available as E15 for use in light-duty vehicles of model year 2001 and newer. Most of the ethanol used as vehicle fuel in the United States is produced domestically; the United States is the world's No. 1 ethanol producer. Ethanol production and consumption decreased in 2020, along with gasoline production and consumption, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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